As the research on feigning has grown, the number and quality of performance validity tests (PVTs) has increased as well. However, while several PVTs have been developed from assessments commonly used as part of neuropsychological batteries, there has been less exploration for PVTs scored from items in cognitive screeners. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a commonly used brief cognitive screening instrument; however, potential embedded performance validity indicators (EVIs) in the MoCA remain unexplored. The purpose of the current study is to take the initial steps in the development and validation of an embedded PVT in the MoCA using a simulation design. Twenty-seven participants on probation or parole were randomly assigned to either a good quality effort control group or a simulated cognitive impairment group. Results from the analyses revealed clear differences between the good quality effort and simulator groups with non-overlapping ranges on 14 MoCA items and scores, including 12 items from 6 MoCA domains as well as the attention domain score and the total adjusted MoCA score, which may potentially be exploited to create an embedded PVT. The identified potential validity indicators were then compared to the available norms from the MoCA validation study's Alzheimer's disease (AD) group, which showed that four of the five scores from the simulator group were significantly below the means of the AD group. Based on these findings, an index for a potentially useful MoCA embedded PVT was developed for future study. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]